STANDARDS for patients in South Bucks are among the lowest in the region, according to a national survey of NHS hospitals.

Out of 27 trusts in the South East, South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust which runs hospitals in High Wycombe and Amersham as well as Chalfonts, Gerrards Cross, Chesham and Marlow community hospitals was ranked in the bottom five at number 23.

The figures, published in the Sunday Times Good Hospital Guide, were calculated by comparing mortality rates in hospitals the regional average is 98 yet South Bucks had a rate of 104. A figure over 100 indicates a higher mortality rate than expected for the types of patients treated.

The rating put the trust behind nearby Stoke Mandeville Hospital, which had a mortality rate of 93, Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital which had a rate of 96 and the Royal Berkshire who were 14th with 97.

Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals, based in the Slough area were the worst in the region with a mortality index of 115.

Breast cancer patients served by South Bucks NHS Trust are also receiving a below average service. The proportion seen by a specialist within two weeks is in the bottom 50 in the country, out of 174. The number of doctors per 100 beds was also below average at 33. Nationally NHS Trusts generally have 35. The number of nurses per 100 beds is also below the average of 119.

Outpatients are expected to be seen within 13 weeks. Under the trust 96 per cent of paediatric patients and 80 per cent of gynaecology patients were seen. An above average 75 per cent of in-patients received consultations in the recommended time.

Chief Executive of South Bucks NHS Trust, Roy Darby, said: "Broadly speaking the trust appears to be about average overall. We are doing further analysis. We can then look at what action we might need to take."